The League for People with Disabilities is committed to offering individuals the opportunity to gain independence, to increase self-sufficiency, and to improve the quality of life.

April Newsletter

Adult Medical Day staff decorated their dining room bulletin board for Autism Acceptance Month!

My League Story: Youth Autism Services, Dolores Byrd

Dolores (pictured in center) encourages two participants in The Youth Autism Services Program to complete their fitness routines in The Wellness Center before having lunch.

At 61 years young, support counselor Dolores Byrd has been putting her education and heart into her work with children in The League's Youth Autism Services Program for the past two years.

Born and raised in Baltimore with four siblings, Dolores has always loved her family. She raised three beautiful children and is blessed with several incredible grandchildren whom she enjoys spending time with. Dolores knew that she wanted to work with children, but it wasn't until she spent the pandemic with her teenage grandson Roman that she decided to change her Major to Special Education.

When Covid-19 shut everything down, Dolores stepped in to take care of Roman when his parents had to work. Together, the pair developed a regimen of structured activities that kept them focused and stimulated during the mandated quarantine. They woke up early in the morning to bake and would both spend the afternoons in virtual classes because learning was such an important component of their day. Roman would participate in speech therapy sessions while Dolores was actively working towards finishing her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Once Roman returned to school, Dolores began working with The League's Youth Autism Services Program in 2021 and has been bringing hope, love, and kindness to the youth and families that she works with ever since. Even though she missed her grandson, Dolores knew that she was making a difference in other kids' lives.

"If I can help one child fulfill a dream, I feel like I have served my purpose."

Dolores sets a positive tone when she picks up the youth for the afterschool program. A true team player, she brings compassion, structure, and fun to activities, field trips, and parties. Her devotion to the children in her care, like Darius, contributes to the overall development and success of the participants.

With graduation a month away, Dolores is already planning to enroll in a Masters Program for Early Childhood Special Education. She finds her work incredibly rewarding and connects with other parents of children with autism because she played a critical role in her grandson's health and growth. Dolores wants to see everyone do well and will "never say never" for Roman and children like him.

Please email Willie Smith, Director of The Youth Autism Services Program, at wsmith@leagueforpeople.org with any questions about The Spectrum Experience.

Learn More About The Youth Autism Services Program

Join Us for The League's Active Together Challenge!

The Active Together Challenge, benefitting The League, is a unique 2-week virtual and in-person challenge. It will include a variety of wellness, fitness, and overall health activities. Children in The Youth Autism Services Program spend time in The Wellness Center every day with their support counselors. Participants will have the flexibility to join in and get active when and how they can through daily on-your-own challenges and scheduled pop-up activities! In addition to access to the full calendar of activities, your participation helps raise essential funds and awareness for The League. Be an ambassador for our mission and promote overall well-being, independence, and quality of life.

Get Involved & Get Active!

Program Highlights

Meaningful Day Made a Splash at The National Aquarium

On March 16^th, adults in the Meaningful Day Program visited The National Aquarium. They toured the exhibits and learned many amazing facts about the aquatic ecosystems that contribute to the Chesapeake Bay’s vitality. Participants and their support counselors saw everything from American Bullfrogs to Zebra Sharks. They visited thousands of animals and even saw a dolphin show! The group spent the rest of the afternoon soaking up sunshine in the Inner Harbor and reflecting on the incredible experience. The League’s Meaningful Day Program hopes to cultivate a relationship with The National Aquarium to create opportunities for future employment and volunteerism for men and women with disabilities. Community partnerships provide avenues for vocational training, behavior modification, education, collaboration, and independence.

SAVE THE DATE - APRIL 19, 2023

Admission is free and all are welcome! Come sing and clap along with our thespians!

7735 Wise Avenue, Dundalk, MD 21222

Adult Medical Day is Bringing Back Favorite Activities

The therapeutic recreation team is working hard to reinstitute some of Adult Medical Day’s favorite activities. Back by popular demand are Day Trips and Cooking Classes for participants to sign up for and enjoy. Since the beginning of March, participants have ventured to The Dollar Tree and other local retail establishments to make small purchases and manage their money in social settings. Participants have also been eager to sign up for cooking classes where they plan for, prepare, and execute various recipes. There are never any leftovers so the chefs must be doing something right!

Join the G.E.M. (Give Every Month) Club to support community partnerships and skill-building activities for adults with disabilities. With your commitment of $20 every month, you will provide opportunities for growth, self-sufficiency, and joy as participants visit local cultural institutions, practice financial responsibility, and work together to create delectable culinary masterpieces.

Join the G.E.M. Club

Tastes, Toasts, & Triumphs was a Success!

Thanks to our sponsors, tasting partners, vendors, donors, supporters, volunteers, staff members, honorees, and participants, Tastes, Toasts, & Triumphs was memorable and meaningful. We exceeded our goal, raising $277,000, which means that together, we are able to improve the quality of life for youth and adults with disabilities and their families! Each dollar donated goes towards independence, self-sufficiency, and joy for the participants in our twelve different programs and services.

Whether you joined us at the event, made a Fund-the-Mission donation, or bid on a few online auction items, you made a commitment to make our mission possible. And if you were at the event, we hope that you enjoyed raising a toast with us as we celebrated Andy & Cherie Snyder, BGE - an Exelon Company, and the many stories of triumph from the individuals that we serve!

See Event Photos on Facebook

Beat Those April Showers with a League Jacket!

Keep bundled and dry during this rainy April with a waterproof hooded soft-shell jacket from Port Authority! Check out beanies, caps, long sleeve tees, and more and prepare to impress you friends with your stylish gear! You will be prompted to set up a username and password to access the Storefront and can have your purchases mailed directly to you or shipped to The League’s main campus at Cold Spring Lane for pick up for no additional cost.

Shop The League's Storefront

A Concluding Note from Our President & CEO

Dear Friends of The League,

I am so incredibly grateful for the magnanimous show of support at Tastes, Toasts, & Triumphs on Saturday, March 25^th! Thank you to our Event Co-Chairs, Event Committee Members, staff, and volunteers who dedicated their time, talents, and resources to make the evening exciting and impactful. The resounding success of the event will help us change lives and make an impact in the disability community, including the more than 2,000 individuals that we serve on an annual basis.

As the temperatures rise and the days get longer, our garden is blooming with buds and activity. On sunny afternoons, participants and staff members will walk and wheel the circular paths. Soon, the garden space will be perfect for yoga and meditation sessions, picnics and BBQs, horticulture classes, outdoor games, and more. It will also serve as the ideal spot for challengers in our Active Together Challenge at the end of May. Check out my fundraising page to help me raise funds and awareness or start your own team! Until then, be well, and stay healthy!

Sincerely,